I'd like to see VH complete this tour, and hope they do. But I'm just saying what I heard. I've got my fingers crossed for ya, that you'll get to see VH on Nov 25 .
Good review from the Hollywood Reporter: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21071453/ CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Van Halen's supercharged Kinks cover You Really Got Me was the band's first single almost 30 years ago. It was even more exhilarating Thursday night as the rebuilt Van Halen came blazing across the stage before a sold-out crowd of frenzied classic rock fans in Charlotte, N.C. It's been more than two decades since David Lee Roth toured with Eddie and Alex Van Halen; and with Eddie's teenage son Wolfgang on bass, the band was every bit as exciting as when it debuted in 1978. It's not a full-fledged reunion without original bassist Michael Anthony, but given the group's volatile history, fans seemed blissfully unconcerned and just happy to see Roth back onstage with the Van Halen brothers. The charismatic frontman was equally ecstatic, beaming to the arena, Well look at all the people here tonight! Roth was a campy, lunatic master of ceremonies and in excellent voice all evening as he twirled around the stage and the runway that snaked out to the floor. Backed by a giant video screen, the members of Van Halen were larger-than-life, an aspect they lived up to for the 2 1/2-hour show. They might be a little long in the tooth, but there is a timelessness in Van Halen's music. VH hasn't recorded with Roth in years, and songs from their multiplatinum 1978-84 catalog remain staples of rock radio. These churlish, melodic, guitar-driven confections have become legendary, and from every squealing note to every yelping chorus, the crowd was positively delirious as Van Halen rocked through such gems as I'm the One, Runnin' With the Devil, Romeo Delight, Somebody Get Me a Doctor and Beautiful Girls. Roth was a lecherous, grinning harlequin in leather, kicking and screaming all night long. Age might have affected his hairline, but it hasn't softened his edge; he's still a bum in the sun who's having fun, and he brought it all to Charlotte. From start to finish the show was about Diamond Dave and Eddie Van Halen. The ultimate guitar hero was a living spectacle, bending and tapping strings on his various signature guitars. Shirtless and smiling the entire night, Eddie Van Halen is thrilling to watch; the man is a virtuoso who basically reinvented the wheel, guitar-wise, though he made it look effortless, especially during his solo late in the show. Alex Van Halen delivered a drum solo, but his strengths were best met within the songs the band played. His 16-year-old nephew Wolfgang gave the songs the rock bottom and groove and filled Anthony's place just fine. But much like Anthony before him and perhaps because of the conspicuous nature of his presence (Anthony was not asked to join the tour) the youngest Van Halen stayed out of the spotlight. Still, he played admirably and clearly has inherited his family's musical genes. Throughout the night, his father would run to play alongside of him or casually look over and smile. It was a treat to watch the two generations of Van Halens together. There was hardly a misstep as the band played one audience favorite after another: Everybody Wants Some, And the Cradle Will Rock, Unchained, (Oh) Pretty Woman. Keyboards were tracked for I'll Wait, but the group relied almost solely on the guitar histrionics its known for. Roth was a fuzzy mess during Hot for Teacher, as he seemed so eager to get to that Hey, I heard ya missed us, we're back! line. The band closed with an encore of its biggest hit, Jump, digitally piping in the bouncy synthesizer that carries the song. When the song was over, the band took a bow, but no one wanted the show to end. After 22 years, David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen were back onstage together rocking and rolling, and hopefully they will continue to do so for a long time. But come what may, for one perfect night in Charlotte, Van Halen was nothing short of spectacular.
I went to a Van Hagar concert as well - I don't know, 15 years ago?? It sucked. Totally different with Roth though. Different songs, way better frontman IMO.
Here is a good review from the Toronto Show - http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/V/Van_Halen/ConcertReviews/2007/10/08/4558841-sun.html They seem to be holding it together.
So far so good. I wonder if Eddie is just hitting the cigarettes and staying off the sauce? They don't seem to be mentioning anything about it. It'd be interesting to get some observations from people actually back stage or at the show?
Saw the show here in Toronto last Sunday..it was a really great show! Roth was excellent considering what he had to live up to. EVH was spot on with the guitar..almost sounded like the EVH of old. Alex forever the solid beat man did not miss anything, and Wolfgang did just fine. Highlight was "I'm the One" awesome guitar work and they hit it perfectly. "Hot for teacher" was also very well done. They seemed to get along great on stage and it didn't seem like an act either. They all appeared to be sober and up to the task of putting on a great show..and they did. I was prepared to be disappointed, but was surprised!
I went to the concert in Boston on Tuesday and it was great. Eddie was awesome with the guitar, especially with his solo of "Eruption", during which the background screen focused in on him playing the guitar which was amazing to watch. Wolfgang also did a great job. It actually looked like they were all having a good time, and not just doing this for the money. I have a feeling that they will complete the full tour. My only complaint was that the sound was a little distorted, but not enough to take away from the show. I would definitely suggest trying to get tickets to any of the shows. I am going to try to go to another one.
Well I was going to try to make it to tonights show in Dallas through a friends ticket business but never heard back from him, the local news announced the show has been cancelled. The only thing that was said due to Eddie's health, the show will be postponed until late April. In the meantime he will be undergoing a battery of tests, no word of what the exact problem is.
Back on..... VAN HALEN ROCK RENO, CONTINUE ACCLAIMED TOUR (Las Vegas, NV) April 23, 2008 - We are here to listen to one of the greatest bands in history. It is my honor to introduce you to VAN HALEN! These words came courtesy of golf legend Tiger Woods as he announced the band at Tiger Jam XI, a fundraising event April 19 at Mandalay Bay Events Center that helped raise more than $1.5 million for the Tiger Woods Foundation. Seconds later, the trademark hard rock eruption that's VAN HALEN was in full swing. And for two hours, Eddie, Dave, Alex and Wolfgang kept the event's energy and vigor at maximum velocity. In all, VAN HALEN offered a great evening.., reported Rolling Stone. Everybody won - which in Vegas is normally an impossibility. Woods, a longtime VAN HALEN fan, selected the supergroup to headline the show. Although his recent knee surgery kept him from dancing the night away, Woods caught the performance alongside a star-studded audience. Before the set, celebrity guests gathered for a special dinner and reception with its stage decked out in Eddie Van Halen's striped Frankenstein design. This year's Tiger Jam logo had another nod to VAN HALEN with the a T and J styled to look like the band's classic insignia. VIPs included sports greats Scott Hamilton and Julius Dr. J Erving, Dancing With The Stars performers Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas, NBA superstars Dwyane Wade and Alonzo Mourning of the Miami Heat, and celebrity auctioneer Vivica Paulin Ferrell. Live and silent auctions had amazing items up for grabs including a 2008 Buick Enclave, autographed by Woods. Eddie Van Halen picked up the pen, too, and autographed an EVH Brand Frankenstein replica guitar donated by Fender. VAN HALEN reached into their pockets and aided the fundraising drive with cash donations. Both David Lee Roth and the Van Halens - Eddie, Alex and Wolfgang - each contributed $100,000 in support of the Tiger Woods Foundation and its programs. Playing Tiger Jam XI has certainly been one of the highlights of the tour so far, VAN HALEN said in a joint statement. It was an honor to be involved and a pleasure to rock for a cause. For up-to-date information about the tour and to stay completely informed, visit www.van-halen.com. Tickets for all shows are available at: Live Nation http://www.livenation.com/artist/getArtist/artistId/3718 Ticketmaster http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/772490 I Love All Access VIP Ticket Packages are available HERE. The Van Halen tour password is: vanhalen TOUR DATES Thu-Apr 24 - American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX Sat-Apr 26 - Scottrade Center, St Louis, MO Mon-Apr 28 - Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI Wed-Apr 30 - Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA Fri-May 02 - John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, VA Mon-May 05 - RBC Center, Raleigh, NC Wed-May 07 - Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH Fri-May 09 - Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ Sun-May 11 - Gwinnett Arena, Duluth, GA Tue-May 13 - Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ Thu-May 15 - 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, MD Sun-May 18 - Giant Center, Hershey, PA Tue-May 20 - Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT Fri-May 23 - Madison Square Garden, New York, NY Sun-May 25 - Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence, RI Wed-May 28 - Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester, NH Fri-May 30 - Allstate Arena, Chicago, IL Mon-June 2 - Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI Image Unavailable, Please Login
Went to the show in Dallas last night and I have to say it was incredible. I saw them about 10 years ago and honestly, I thought last night was even better. If you get a chance to catch them in an upcoming concert, I would highly recommend it!
Of course it was - 10 years ago they had Sammy Hagar in the band! I wish they'd announce some UK dates.
I saw them about 4 or 5 years ago in Tampa with Sammy Hagar. Excellent concert despite the lack of Roth.
